Zero Waste: Hastings District Council
Location: Hawke’s Bay, East Coast of the North Island
Population: 66,280
Situated in the heart of the Heretaunga Plains, Hastings is surrounded by some of the richest land in New Zealand which makes Hawke's Bay a natural location for pastoral farming and the production of a wide variety of delicious and varied fresh foods and wines. It is also a centre for a large and expanding food processing industry.
In November 1999 Hastings District Council officially adopted the Zero Waste policy and became a pilot project Council. Becoming a Zero Waste Council has enabled the Council to draw on the financial and technical support offered by Zero Waste to implement new waste reduction programmes and facilities.
Besides its weekly curb side recycling collection Hastings District Council provides the Henderson Road Recycling Depot which is located on the perimeter of Hastings City. The site provides the community and offers the ever growing rural community, with a very effective medium for recycling and resource recovery.
What’s New?
Rural Collections - Hastings District Council, as part of its joint Solid Waste Management Plan with Napier City Council, have rebranded their waste minimisation activities under the title ‘Wipe Out Waste”. This is to place all aspects of waste under one umbrella and to ensure that a consistent message of waste minimisation is reinforced through repetition. ( See above logo)
Waste Exchange - Hastings and Napier now have a fully operational and rather effective Waste Exchange. This is the same model as used by the Waikato region and a close working relationship between the regions allows waste to be found home further a field. At the date of writing, the Waste exchange had achieved 29 exchanges of waste, diverting an increasing volume of material from landfill.
BusinessCare - Wipe Out Waste are using the BusinessCare ‘Toolkit for Change’ as a guide to promoting cleaner production. A staff member is employed for 30 hours per week to work with business to promote resource efficiency.
Hastings District Council – has just replaced all waste signage to incorporate the Wipe Out Waste logo and replace the dilapidated uninformative signs. The new signs are bold, user friendly and educational.
Green waste – A tender has been signed to divert green waste from the Hastings District Council second refuse transfer station. It is estimated that the waste destined for landfill from the Blackbridge site will be halved.
What’s Coming?
As part of the joint Solid Waste Management Plan Hastings is endeavouring to make recycling services available to the majority of its rural population.
HaZMobile – Thanks to the Auckland Councils, Wipe Out Waste will be operating the first Hawkes Bay collection of household hazardous wastes. This will occur in late November.
WAP Survey – this three yearly survey of the local waste stream is due to be undertaken in December 03/ January 04. The WAP survey will allow Wipe Out Waste Staff to see current waste trends and establish action to target areas of concern.
Cleaner Production – An increase in the number of businesses who are actively participating in the ongoing programme will be sought this year.
Waste Education – The existing Waste Watch Kit is currently being revamped and updated. It is hoped to have the new kit compiled by November.
Who Are Wipe out Waste?
Wipe Out Waste is the Waste Minimisation Department for; Hastings District, Napier City and the Hawkes Bay Regional Council’s.
Waste Minimisation Officer – Dominic Salmon. Tel 0508 NOWASTE
Solid Waste Planner - Caroline Peacock. Tel 06 878 0546
Waste Exchange, Tel 0800 NOTHROW
Cleaner Production Advisor – Nickie Jones – 06 845 2997